Heatwave to hit county

Cavan recorded below average rainfall last month, but the overall temperature was only slightly higher than normal.

The monthly data from Met Éireann comes as the country looks set to be gripped by a heatwave this week (see below).

The report shows the weather station in Ballyhaise broke its long-standing record for highest temperature on July 18. The mercury hit 30.8C at the station that day, with stations across the country recording record breaking temperatures. The previous record had stood since 2005.

However, the overall mean temperature recorded across the month of July locally was 16C, only half a degree higher than the long term average. That figure is the average across the period from 1981 to 2010.

A look at figures for previous Julys show that, while this year saw record breaking temperatures, the month as a whole was cooler. In comparison, the mean temperature in July of last year was 17.2C, 1.7C above the long term average for the station.

Rainfall in Cavan last month was almost half of what would be expected for the time of year. The Met Éireann report shows 39.5mm of rainfall was recorded at the Ballyhaise station, compared with the long term average of 73.4mm.

The Ballyhaise station went 20 days with no rainfall last month, one of the highest figures in the country. It was among six stations that had dry spells between July 2 and 22, lasting between 17 and 21 days. Others include Sherkin Island, Co Cork; Claremorris, Co Mayo; Athenry, Co Galway; Oak Park, Co Carlow; Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon and Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

All weather stations across the country recorded lower than average rainfall in July.

Mercury rising

Met Éireann has issued a weather advisory as it’s expecting temperatures to creep close to 30C again this week.

It says: “Ireland will experience a hot spell developing from Wednesday and continuing through the rest of the week and the weekend.”

Daytime temperatures will widely reach the mid to high twenties and it says it will remain uncomfortably warm overnight too.

It’s urging people to take care, especially older people who could be prone to heat stress. It’s also warned of high UV levels and a risk of water related incidents as people take to rivers, lakes and the sea to cool off.

This current bout of hot weather is expected to be classed as a heatwave. Ireland needs to see temperatures of 25C or higher for a period of five days or more before a heatwave is declared.